NPR News: 02-28-2025 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 28, 2025

On the February 28, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Lakshmi Singh delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. The episode covered a range of topics from geopolitical tensions and diplomatic appointments to significant events in the space industry and financial markets. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Tensions Escalate in US-Ukraine Relations

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Lexi Shapiro

The episode opened with reports on the strained relationship between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A scheduled signing of a rare earth minerals deal, which Trump had highlighted as pivotal for ending the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, was abruptly canceled. During the heated Oval Office meeting, President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with President Zelenskyy's approach.

Notable Quote:

Donald Trump [00:41]: "Your country is in big trouble. Wait a minute. No, no. You've done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble. I know you're not winning. You're not winning this. You have a damn good chance of coming out okay because of Mr. President."

The confrontation led to the postponement of a working lunch and a joint press event intended to finalize the mineral deal. According to a White House official, the fallout was communicated to the Ukrainian delegation by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the National Security Adviser. President Zelenskyy departed the meeting, indicating ongoing discussions about future steps.

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2. Russia Appoints New Ambassador to the United States

Reporter: Charles Maynes

In international relations news, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced the appointment of Alexander Darchiev as its new ambassador to the United States, filling a vacancy that persisted for several months. Darchiev, who previously led Russia's North America Department, has been a vocal critic of recent American policies. His appointment comes amidst talks aiming to normalize embassy staffing levels, which have been strained by years of reciprocal expulsions. Additionally, Russia proposed the resumption of direct commercial flights between the two nations, a move that follows the suspension of American carriers amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Notable Quote:

Alexander Darchiev [02:32]: "I'm so afraid, but I'm also so excited about it."

Darchiev emphasized the necessity for US-Russia engagement to prevent direct military conflict, signaling a potential shift towards diplomatic dialogue.

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3. USAID Under Scrutiny Amidst Workforce Changes

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Former USAID Head: Andrew Nazri

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) faced internal turmoil as employees were either fired or placed on leave, with those affected given only 15 minutes to retrieve their personal belongings. This action came in response to criticisms from President Trump, who alleged that USAID was rife with waste, abuse, and fraud. Former USAID head Andrew Nazri vehemently denied these claims, defending the agency's integrity and accountability measures.

Notable Quote:

Andrew Nazri [02:50]: "Absolutely not. That's all nonsense. And in terms of accountability, there are layer upon layer of institutions and controls within the system. 40% of the aid officers, what they do is they make sure all the laws are complied with, but most importantly, that none of the money is misspent or stolen."

Nazri highlighted the extensive oversight mechanisms in place to ensure proper use of funds and adherence to legal standards within USAID.

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4. Health Concerns for Pope Francis

Host: Lakshmi Singh

In Vatican news, Pope Francis experienced a significant health setback. Officials reported that the 88-year-old pontiff suffered an isolated coughing fit that led to inhaling vomit, necessitating non-invasive mechanical ventilation. This incident follows his recent battle with double pneumonia, which had already led to his hospitalization in Rome. The Vatican has proactively arranged alternative plans for the upcoming Ash Wednesday observances to accommodate the Pope's condition, ensuring continuity of religious activities despite his temporary health challenges.

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5. Blue Origin's Historic All-Female Spaceflight

Reporter: Amy Held
Participants: Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Carrie Anne Flynn, Gayle King

In a groundbreaking announcement, private space company Blue Origin revealed the lineup for its first all-female team set to journey to the edge of space this spring. The mission, part of Blue Origin's space tourism initiatives, includes a diverse group of women: pop superstar Katy Perry, helicopter pilot and Jeff Bezos's fiancée Lauren Sanchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights advocate and scientist Amanda Nguyen, filmmaker Carrie Anne Flynn, and CBS News broadcaster Gayle King.

Notable Quote:

Participant [04:27]: "I'm so afraid, but I'm also so excited about it."

The six-member team will embark on an autonomous, pilotless flight reaching approximately 62 miles above Earth, marking the first all-female solo spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's historic mission in 1963. This endeavor underscores Blue Origin's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the aerospace industry.

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6. U.S. Stock Market Sees Uptick

Host: Lakshmi Singh

Concluding the episode, Lakshmi Singh provided a brief update on the financial markets, noting that U.S. stocks were trading higher during the hour. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by approximately 250 points, equating to a half-percent rise. This positive movement reflects investor confidence amidst the day's varied news and ongoing economic developments.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulated critical updates across geopolitical affairs, organizational dynamics within U.S. agencies, significant events in global health and the space sector, as well as a snapshot of the financial markets, providing listeners with a well-rounded overview of current events.

Transcript

[Carvana]

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump canceled an event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a deal that would have shored up US Support for Ukraine after a meeting in the Oval Office today turned hostile. NPR's Lexi Schapitl has details.

[Lexi Shapiro]

Trump and Zelenskyy were expected to sign a deal on rare earth minerals, one that Trump had touted as an important step toward ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. But a meeting between the two leaders quickly became heated.

[Donald Trump]

Your country is in big trouble. Wait a minute. No, no. You've done a lot of talking. Your country is in big trouble. I know you're not winning. You're not winning this. You have a damn good chance of coming out okay because of Mr. President.

[Lexi Shapiro]

Repeatedly, Trump and Vice President J.D. vance told Zelenskyy he should be thankful for U.S. support and accused him of being disrespectful after he questioned the prospects of diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lexi Shapiro, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

After the Oval Office meeting broke up, Zelenskyy and his delegation went into a hold room. The two leaders were supposed to have a working lunch before holding a joint press event where the mineral deal was to be signed, according to a White House official. That official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss private conversations. But Trump put out in a statement on social media and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's national security adviser went in to break the news to the Ukrainian delegation. Zelensky left shortly afterwards, saying, I think everybody is having conversations about next steps and what that looks like. According to the White House official, Moscow says it will soon deploy a new ambassador to Washington. NPR's Charles Mainz has more.

[Charles Maynes]

Russia's Foreign Ministry said the head of its North America Department, Alexander Darcheev, will be its new ambassador to the US Filling a months long vacancy. The US Endorsed the appointment during talks in Istanbul, with Darchiev heading the Russian delegation. Discussions also focused on normalizing embassy staffing levels. Gutted by years of tit for tat expulsions. The Russian side also suggested the resumption of direct commercial flights. American carriers suspended service amid the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. The 64 year old Darchayev has held previous postings to the U.S. a vocal critic of recent American policy. He's also argued the US And Russia needed to re engage if they hoped to avoid a direct military conflict. Charles Maynes, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

For a second day, employees with the U.S. agency for International Development who were fired or placed on leave are being given 15 minutes to collect their belongings from their former workspaces. Andrew Nazi, as a former head of USAID during George W. Bush's administration, responded to President Trump's claim that USAID is rampant with waste, abuse and fraud.

[Andrew Nazi]

Absolutely not. That's all nonsense. And in terms of accountability, there are layer upon layer of institutions and controls within the system. 40% of the aid officers, what they do is they make sure all the laws are complied with, but most importantly, that none of the money is misspent or stolen.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr. The Vatican is reporting a setback in Pope Francis recovery today. Officials say the 88 year old pontiff experienced an isolated coughing fit that resulted in him inhaling vomit, necessitating non invasive mechanical ventilation. Officials say the Pope's been recovering from double pneumonia given Francis hospitalization in Rome. The Vatican says it has already made alternative plans for Ash Wednesday observances next week. The first all female team is headed for the edge of space, apparently sometime this spring. NPR's Amy Held reports. The private space company Blue Origin announced the historic lineup, including a pop superstar on its space tourism rocket flight.

[Amy Held]

She sings about shooting across the sky. Now Katy Perry is set to do it for real some 62 miles above the Earth. Jeff Bezos, private space company has long leveraged celebrity for a boost in the tourism space race. Also set to ride is his fiance, Lauren Sanchez, a helicopter pilot, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights champion scientist Amanda Nguyen, filmmaker Carrie Anne Flynn and CBS News broadcaster Gayle King.

[Andrew Nazi]

I'm so afraid, but I'm also so excited about it.

[Amy Held]

The six woman team be on an autonomous flight, no pilot. 1963 marks the last all female and solo space flight, when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. Amy held, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour. The dow is up 250 points or roughly half a percent. It's NPR.

[Carvana]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus npr.org.